Game of the Day | Shields yields just two hits

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — James Shields pitched Tampa Bay into a rare position. The Rays are now the co-leaders in the AL East with the Baltimore Orioles.

Shields threw a two-hitter for his first career shutout, Evan Longoria homered and the Rays beat Josh Beckett and Boston 3-0 Sunday to complete their first three-game sweep of the Red Sox.

"It's a great feeling, but it's very early in the season," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "It's not about winning. It's how we did it, with the pitching and defense and we got the hits when we needed them. We're playing the game right, and if you do that, you'll win your share of games."

Coupled with the Orioles' 6-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox, the Rays' victory gave them a share of first place. It's the latest in any season during the team's 11-year history that Tampa Bay has held a share of the division lead.

Tampa Bay has won six in a row for its longest winning streak since a six-game run July 28-Aug. 3, 2005. The Rays (14-11) are three games over .500 for the first time since starting the season 3-0 in 2002. It's also the latest in the season the Rays have ever been three games above .500.

"This is huge for us," Shields said. "If you look back, this is the best April we've ever had."

Shields (3-1) struck out seven and walked one. Longoria made it 2-0 with a solo homer off Beckett in the seventh.

Beckett (2-2) struck out a career-high 13 and walked one in seven innings for the Red Sox, who have lost five straight. He allowed two runs — one earned — and four hits.

Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz was out of the starting lineup for the second consecutive game. Ortiz said he probably will play Tuesday when Boston opens a three-game series with Toronto.

Jason Bartlett singled with one out in the third and scored on a pair of errors during a pickoff play. He reached third when Beckett made an errant throw on a pickoff attempt and scored when right fielder J.D. Drew made a bad throw toward the plate after picking up the ball in foul territory.

"I basically lost the game for us," Beckett said. "Throw away, and the home run to Longoria."